As many people predicted, A&E grossly underestimated how deeply held the Robertson family values are. A&E foolishly assumed they could strong arm the most popular family in America by firing the family patriarch. Now, with egg on their face and eating humble pie, they have reversed their decision and reinstated Phil after one of the largest public outcries I’ve ever seen.

A statement issued by A&E reads:

“While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the ‘coarse language’ he used and the misinterpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would ‘never incite or encourage hate.’ We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article and reiterate that they are not views we hold.

But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man’s views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family … a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about.

So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.”

Well that is really nice of A&E to acknowledge those crucial comments by Phil. I can’t help but wonder why A&E forgot to do so, while respecting them, in their previous comments. Oh, that’s right, because A&E thought they had the upper hand. Oops.

But, as one more than one commentator has and will continue to note, A&E simply underestimated the Robertson’s popularity and ability to resonate with the American people. The result was nothing short of one of the most embarrassing public relations nightmares in network history. Simply put, A&E has egg on their face.

Of course not everyone is happy about this decision. After A&E initially fired Phil Robertson, Jesse Jackson stuck his nose into the situation on behalf of black people. Well, that’s what he said anyways. The reality is that Jackson hasn’t done anything to help black people and often encourages violence against whites. Jackson “demanded” a meeting with A&E and gave them 72 hours to comply. Well, those 72 hours came and went and no one really paid any attention. But Jackson is still spewing his nonsense, he said:

“These statements uttered by Robertson are more offensive than the bus driver in Montgomery, Alabama, more than 59 years ago. At least the bus driver, who ordered Rosa Parks to surrender her seat to a white person, was following state law. Robertson’s statements were uttered freely and openly without cover of the law, within a context of what he seemed to believe was ‘white privilege.’”

Apparently Phil Robertson is not allowed to share his life experience, because that’s all he did to garner these absurd comments from Jackson. Robertson said “I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once.” In other words, Robertson is conveying his own personal experience. He never said  mistreatment didn’t happen, and he certainly didn’t as some media outlets have asserted, praise Jim Crow laws. he simply relayed his own personal experience.

But because his experience doesn’t include homage to black people and profuse apologies for the mistreatment that did occur, Jackson feels the need to blast Robertson and insert himself into the situation. He’s sort of like a perpetual photo bomber.

Others have incorrectly asserted that Phil Robertson compared homosexuality to bestiality. He did not. He was asked what his definition of sin was, to which he replied “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”

Notice that Robertson didn’t compare anyone. He simply explained his view of sin in an effort to answer the question that was asked. The fact remains that millions of Americans hold to this same view of sin. In adherence to religious convictions, billions around the world believe that homosexuality, bestiality, pedophilia, sex outside marriage, cohabitation, and adultery are all sins. Robertson simply expressed his personal view, according to the Bible. But because that view is a threat to a particular political agenda, he must be demonized. So false narratives, such as the comparison between homosexuality and bestiality are drawn.

Further false assertions include those by GLAAD which said the following in their statement after the announcement by A&E to reverse their decision to fire Robertson:

“Phil Robertson should look African-American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists…If dialog with Phil is not part of next steps, then A&E has chosen profits over African-American and gay people — especially its employees and viewers.”

Of course these statements only further reiterate the fact that holding to traditional views of sexuality will be vilified and demonized in any way possible; even if that means lying about what a person said.

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins highlighted this trend in his statement:

“A&E Network’s reversal in the face of backlash is quite telling to the American people who are growing tired of GLAAD and cultural elites who want to silence people and remove God and His word from every aspect of public life.”

While I’m excited that A&E has made this decision, let’s not pretend it was to respect religious views or free speech. Their previous actions prove they are not interested on those values. This is a business decision. As I’ve said already, with Duck Dynasty being the most watched reality show in cable history, and A&E’s most watched show ever, they had to save face in order to save their huge profits. In the first nine months of 2013 alone Duck Dynasty generated nearly $500 million in merchandise and advertisement sales. Do you really think they are going to let that money go to another network? Please.

Even though this is not technically, in my opinion, a moral victory wherein free speech and religious freedom prevailed, it is nonetheless a victory.  (The Cracker Barrel decision was more of a moral victory based on beliefs.) And this is an important victory as it shows once again that Americans in large numbers hold to traditional values. At some point I hope A&E, Cracker Barrel, and others understand that and begin defending and protecting those values rather than assaulting them.

Duck Dynasty Scramble Leaves A&E With Egg On Its Face

A&E Lifts Suspension on Phil Robertson

Jesse Jackson Says Phil Robertson Is ‘More Offensive’ Than Rosa Parks’ Bus Driver

Duck Dynasty to resume Filming With Phil Robertson

Duck Dynasty Supporters and Critics Respond to Reinstatement

Duck Commanders Faith Persuades A&E to Back Down